Iowa Defensive Back Kahlil Tate Enters Transfer Portal Amid Roster Changes

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa defensive back Kahlil Tate has officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Wednesday morning, marking a significant development for the Hawkeyes as they prepare for the upcoming football season.

Tate, a Chicago native, did not see any game action in his two seasons with Iowa. The former three-star recruit had previously received scholarship offers from multiple prestigious programs, including Penn State, Michigan, and Tennessee, but ultimately committed to the Hawkeyes.

His decision to enter the portal coincided with the opening day of the spring transfer window, which allows athletes to explore new opportunities until it closes on April 30. During this 15-day window, players are permitted to enter the transfer portal but are not required to commit to a new school immediately, unless they have graduated or experienced a head coaching change.

According to 247Sports, Tate visited Purdue as part of his recruitment process and was also considering Illinois and Nebraska. Despite his offers and interests, he only took three official visits during his recruitment: to Iowa, Wisconsin, and Purdue.

In his assessment of Tate, 247Sports analyst Allen Trieu noted the player’s versatility, stating, “He has played in the slot, outside, and has already played safety at times,” highlighting Tate’s potential role as a NICKEL or hybrid safety. Trieu praised Tate’s size, physicality, and ability to contribute in run support, with a notable performance that included five interceptions during his junior year.

Tate initially chose Iowa due to the genuine approach of defensive coaches Phil Parker and his staff. “They came in and were 100-percent genuine,” Tate said. “I don’t want to go somewhere where they showed me one thing and then I get there and it’s totally different.”

With Tate’s departure, Iowa’s depth at the cornerback position has weakened. The program is in need of reinforcements at defensive back as they prepare for the 2025-2026 season, particularly following the addition of five mid-year transfers and 10 freshmen. Iowa has an open practice scheduled for April 26, which will allow fans to preview the roster before it is finalized.

The Hawkeyes’ defensive back room is now particularly thin, with TJ Hall being one of the few players who have accumulated meaningful playing time at the position. As the team assesses its options in the transfer portal, they will aim to fill gaps left by departures and new challenges on the roster.